The secret to staying under budget isn’t just cutting costs. It’s mastering the right tools and strategies.
In this episode of Inside Indies, seasoned line producer
Steve Gruskin shares his proven methods for managing production budgets efficiently. With experience at major production companies like ABC News Studios and Embassy Row, he offers invaluable insights into budgeting, forecasting, and planning for indie films.
Alongside host
Steve Bizenov, he discusses how he uses Showbiz Budgeting to manage shifting schedules, compare cost scenarios, and answer tough financial questions without manually updating every line item. Whether you're dealing with complex financials or just trying to streamline your process, Steve’s tips will help you stay in control and avoid costly mistakes.
Key insights from this episode:
- How Showbiz Budgeting simplifies planning and forecasting
- Why phases and subgroups save time when shoot plans change
- What real-time actuals do to keep budgets accurate and responsive
Chapters:
(
00:00) Meet Steve Gruskin
(
02:36) How Showbiz Budgeting helped Steve in his early years
(
06:54) Using Showbiz Budgeting for what-if scenarios
(
08:42) Managing tax incentives with Showbiz Budgeting
(
10:36) Importing payroll actuals to save time and improve accuracy
(
13:41) The benefits of using Showbiz Budgeting for episodic productions